Scott’s pick helps Bills hold off Dolphins

Leodis McKelvin scored on a 79-yard punt return and the Mario Williams-led Buffalo Bills’ oft-maligned defense finally flexed its muscles in a 19-14 victory over the Miami Dolphins last night in Orchard Park, N.Y.

Safety Jairus Byrd recovered a fumble and made a diving interception, and Bryan Scott sealed the win with an interception to end the Dolphins’ final drive. Williams had one of three sacks for a Buffalo defense that limited the Ryan Tannehill-led Dolphins to 184 yards. That was enough to make up for an offense that settled for Rian Lindell’s four field goals on four drives into the red zone. Buffalo (4-6) snapped a three-game skid and won for only the second time in seven games. Marcus Thigpen scored on a 96-yard kickoff return and Davone Bess had a 2-yard touchdown catch for Miami (4-6).

San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh was sent to the hospital yesterday for a “minor procedure” after doctors discovered he had an irregular heartbeat. The team said it anticipates Harbaugh will be back at the 49ers' facility today, though it's unclear in what capacity. No details about the procedure were given. The NFC West-leading 49ers (6-2-1) host the NFC-North leading Chicago Bears (7-2) on Monday night.

Bears quarterback Jay Cutler missed practice yesterday, and his playing status remains in question because of a concussion. Coach Lovie Smith said Cutler continues to improve, but it's not clear if he'll be ready to play at San Francisco. If Cutler can't play, Jason Campbell likely will start.

Brian Urlacher, Chicago's star linebacker, said he still would lie to cover up a concussion. Urlacher raised a few more eyebrows yesterday when he reiterated what he told HBO earlier in the year, and it didn't seem to matter to him that Cutler is recovering from that same injury.

BASEBALL

Manny homers in Dominican league debut
Former Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez homered on his first pitch of the Dominican winter league season in Santo Domingo. Thousands of cheering fans stood and cheered Wednesday night as Ramirez came to bat in the bright yellow jersey of the Eagles, a team from the northern region of Cibao. Ramirez then drove his first pitch over the right-field fence. The Eagles went on to lose the game, 3-2, to the Escogido Lions. Ramirez had last played in his Dominican Republic nearly 20 years ago.

MISCELLANY

Charity formally drops Armstrong's nameLance Armstrong's cancer fighting charity has formally dropped him from its name and will officially be known as the Livestrong Foundation. The move is the latest of several by the charity to separate itself from its founder, who has been stripped of his seven Tour De France titles. The U.S. Anti-doping agency revealed evidence of performance-enhancing drug use by Armstrong and his teammates.

Atlanta police said a warrant has been issued for former WNBA star and Olympic gold medalist Chamique Holdsclaw, who is accused of shooting into a woman's car after using a bat to break its windows. Police said that Holdsclaw followed the woman, Jennifer Lacy, to her car on Tuesday afternoon. WNBA spokesman Ron Howard said the 29-year-old Lacy plays for the Tulsa Shock. No one was injured. Lacy identified the 35-year-old Holdsclaw as an ex-girlfriend, and both played for the Atlanta Dream in 2009.